章 46: Hired

She didn't expect to be invited to the penthouse so soon. Claire was just as surprised as Debbie was when she received a call from Mr Wilde telling her to prepare the study for a guest. The head maid didn't question anything and did as she was instructed. She was also curious as to why the CEO wanted to know Scarlet's schedule. The kids were going to survey the various clubs and extracurricular activities today, so Claire was miffed when Mr Wilde told her to arrange for someone to pick Scarlet up after school in a car. Wasn't she supposed to take public transportation?

Jasper and Alex weren't too bothered with the special treatment Scarlet got. In fact, they looked genuinely happy for her when they heard someone coming to get her in a car.

"You should go home and rest, standing and walking too long isn't good for your leg."

Alex agreed and felt guilty seeing the cast on Scarlet's leg even though they made up. She wanted to help Scarlet carry her bag and reduce the burden, but even her own backpack was too heavy for her to handle. The Wilde princess didn't know what she could do for Scarlet except to walk beside her, but Scarlet was faster than she was. She'd never felt so useless before. When she heard that someone was coming to get her sister, Alex was overjoyed. At least Scarlet didn't need to put up with her pathetic speed now.

Scarlet didn't question it and followed the driver when he arrived. Claire didn't provide her with any more details, so the blogger was left to speculate what could have happened all alone in the car that seemed too big all of a sudden.

With nobody around, her thoughts drifted off to the darker side. Could it be that she'd done something wrong unknowingly and Mr Wilde called her back alone to scold her?

While the blogger was bashing herself mentally, Debbie was admiring the tasteful tapestries and sipping on Darjeeling tea. Wilmer decided to take some time and dress down so he would be more comfortable for the long discussion that was about to take place. There was just something about Debbie that clicked, and he just had a feeling that the girl would come to like Ms Connor too.

"Scarlet was once a Liu, but her parents were those in the middle class trying to make it rich. It was a marriage of partnership more than love and Scarlet was born from necessity. Before my wife met her, Scarlet was just like an expressionless doll and did things perfectly as expected from her. We wanted to raise her as our ward because she possesses an incredible talent that could become one of Alex's strongest pillars within her inner circle of friends when she becomes the Wilde heiress. However, when we tried to negotiate with the Liu's, they promptly sold their daughter to us for a blank cheque. It was at that point that my wife decided to adopt Scarlet legally instead of grooming her to become Alex's pillar."

"They sold her for money... Are they really her biological parents? How can such monsters exist!? The poor child..."

Wilmer sighed and nodded. "My wife and daughter tried everything they could, but the trauma and damage were already done. We don't want to resort to calling for a psychologist, but if the situation gets worse, we might have to. I do hope that we do not need to resort to such an option with your influence in Scarlet's life as a governess. I'll say I'm pleasantly surprised by how well I think you'd do well for the governess position. The focus should be more on Scarlet, but I hope you can help all three of my children grow, even if one of them isn't my legal child."

Debbie smiled. "I'm not very confident about playing the faux therapist here, but I will do my best. I am interested to meet all the children, but I would like to know to know more about the dedication of this job. As you might have heard, I am recently married and am living with my husband in Singapore. I understand that governesses are usually required to live with their employers much like the maids and butlers under your employment. However, I would like to request a more formal position, like a tutor, who can travel over for classes and return after the lesson is over..."

Wilmer thought about it. "I have no reason to object to such an arrangement. I also understand that you're busy with your freelance career as an editor, so I wouldn't want to take up too much of your time. Alex and Jasper will be having extracurricular activities after lessons and they will be interning at my company for two days a week. Once Claire has a better grasp on their schedules, we can discuss the arrangements again."

Just as their discussion came to an end, there was a knock on the door. Claire bowed as she entered and announced that Scarlet was home and was currently settling down in her room.

Wilmer shared a look with Debbie and told the maid to bring Scarlet to the study when she was ready. The two then proceeded to chat about less important matters as Claire excused herself.

When Scarlet heard that Mr Wilde wanted to see her, she quickly changed out of the uniform and combed through her messy hair. Once she was ready, Claire escorted her and knocked on the door before ushering the blogger in. She was clearly not expecting another person to be in the room, because the blogger froze up when she saw the unfamiliar lady.

To ease the tension, Wilmer smiled and told Scarlet to have a seat before asking about her day. Debbie noticed how upright Scarlet was sitting. Her ramrod spine and professional answers made the ex-lawyer raise her brow. She could understand a little more about what the CEO meant by behaving perfectly. She must have gone through a very harsh education to be able to carry herself with such prim and proper conduct.

Wilmer pouted. Scarlet wasn't easing up, so he mustered his most pitiful voice and asked childishly. "When are you going to call me daddy?"

The girl stiffened and Debbie giggled at the father and daughter interaction.

Scarlet deadpanned. "Not even Alex calls you daddy."

Wilmer mocked horror and pretended to weep. Debbie couldn't contain her laughter and Scarlet seemed to ease up a little at that. With the ice broken, the ex-lawyer introduced herself as a friend of Benjamin's.

"You know Benjamin?"

"Yes," Debbie nodded. "We studied in the same institute before. However, I left my law career behind and am now helping budding writers publish their books. I'm a freelance editor!"

At the mention of 'editor', Scarlet's eyes lit up and she snapped back to Mr Wilde.

"She's an editor!"

Mr Wilde nodded slowly. "I know."

"But she's an editor... She helps make books!"

The Ceo was amused and nodded slowly again. "I've heard."

"I write books!" Scarlet was almost bouncing in her seat, much to the amusement of the adults present.

"And...?" Wilmer pretended not to get the inference.

Exasperated and mentally debating if she should shamelessly request for Debbie to teach her how to write books or be polite and let the chance fly by, the better choice was obvious to her.

"Daddy, can I please learn from Ms Connor? It doesn't have to be very often, just once in a while over tea is good too... I... I've actually started writing one secretly from Alex and Jasper, but I don't know if it is any good..."

Wilmer couldn't stop the smile from infecting his mood. It spread from his face to his entire personality, and the CEO pointed at Debbie.

"You're hired."